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NASA shuttle could land in France under accord with US
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    • WASHINGTON (AFP) Jun 08, 2005
     NASA's space shuttle could land at a French military air base in southern France if the US space craft encounters an emergency during its launch under the terms of a new deal agreed by the US and French governments, NASA said Tuesday.

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said in a statement that under the accord signed in Washington, the two governments agreed to establish a "Transoceanic Abort Landing site" for the US space shuttle at Istres Air Base in southern France.

    The accord -- signed by NASA administrator Michael Griffin and France's ambassador to the United States Jean-David Levitte -- provides for landing at the French base for a shuttle supporting missions to the International Space Station.

    The deal also enables the US government to position equipment and personnel at the French air base in advance of shuttle missions.




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